Prabowo targets up to 50 ethanol plants to support E20 fuel program

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto announced a target to build up to 50 new ethanol plants across Indonesia to support the E20 agenda, which mandates fuel to contain at least a 20 percent blend of bioethanol.

During a mass harvest event organized by the military in Malang, East Java, on Friday, he emphasized that Indonesia is now capable of increasing the bioethanol content in fuel to meet the E20 standard.

“We need factories, as we have only one plant presently. I have decided that we will build at least 30 plants, if necessary, up to 50 plants,” Prabowo remarked in a speech observed online from Jakarta.

The Indonesian president pointed to India's implementation of E20 and Brazil's adoption of E100 as examples, expressing confidence that Indonesia has the capacity to implement a mandatory 20 percent bioethanol blending program.

The head of state then touched upon the broader national energy security drive, highlighting the start of construction of the Abadi Masela Liquefied Natural Gas project in Maluku after 28 years of stagnation.

Prabowo also underscored the fact that Indonesia is the first country to launch a mandatory B50 biodiesel program, requiring diesel fuel to contain 50 percent palm oil-based biodiesel.

“We are now producing diesel fuel from palm oil. Starting this July, we no longer import diesel,” he said.

Furthermore, he called on all elements of the nation to align their efforts with the government's priority programs to improve public welfare, particularly through food and energy self-sufficiency, natural resource downstreaming, and technological innovation.

Speaking about national self-reliance, the president highlighted plans to launch Indonesia-made electric motorcycles in the coming weeks.

Prabowo said the motorcycles would help improve farmers' mobility while supporting Indonesia's broader drive toward national self-reliance.

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Translator: Prisca T, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: M Razi Rahman

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